Forecast issued at: Friday 04th April 2025 13:00
Rain
The past seven days have been drier or significantly drier than normal for the time of year right across the country. Rainfall amounts ranged from just 1.1mm at Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin (9% of its average) to 5.9mm at Knock Airport, Co. Mayo (26% of its average). With high pressure in charge, this coming week will be mostly dry. There'll just be a little showery rain in parts today which won't amount to more than a trace in most areas but accumulating to 1mm in the southwest. Otherwise there are no further accumulations expected for the next seven days.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the past week were above normal throughout the country, with values coming in at between 2 and 3 degrees above average. Mean air temperatures ranged from 9.4 degrees at a number of stations in the midlands and east, to 11.7 degrees at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry. Mean soil temperatures over the past week were significantly above normal, ranging from 8.3 to 10.9 degrees, which is between 2.8 and 4.1 degrees higher than normal. Daytime temperatures this coming week will come in well above average in most areas, but will be offset by chilly nights. Overall, mean air temperatures will still be a little higher than average generally, ranging from 0 to 2 degrees above normal. Mean soil temperatures won't change too much.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts over the past week came in above average across the country. A total of 47 hours of sunshine was recorded in Shannon Airport, Co. Clare, which equates to 161% of normal and this was where the lowest amount of sunshine was recorded. The highest amount of sunshine was recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, with a total of 61.3 hours there, which equates to 203% of normal. There will be plenty of sunshine over the coming week, with well above average sunshine amounts expected countrywide.
Drying Conditions
Apart from today where there is some light patchy rain and drizzle around, drying conditions will be good this week.
Spraying
Spraying conditions will often be good, though will be limited at times due to a brisk easterly breeze, today and tomorrow. Winds will be lighter from later in the weekend and into early next week so spraying conditions will be good from then. Spraying conditions will be limited for some today due to outbreaks of showery rain, which will be moving northwestwards.
Field Conditions
In poorly drained soils, SMDs range between 5mm in the west to 25mm in the east. With mostly dry conditions over the coming week, SMDs are likely to increase by between 5mm and 15mm generally, with some further restriction to growth in most well drained soils and in other soils too in the east.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
